Garissa set for reliable power supply after major substation upgrade
The new transformer was delivered following a commitment made by President William Ruto in response to persistent complaints over unreliable electricity supply
Garissa residents are set to enjoy a more reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply following the ongoing upgrade of the Kenya Power substation in the town.
The project includes the installation of a new 23-megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer, significantly increasing the substation's capacity from 15 MVA to about 38 MVA. The upgrade is expected to address the growing demand for electricity driven by the town's rapid urbanisation and expanding economic activities.
For years, frequent power outages caused by an overloaded transformer have disrupted businesses and households, resulting in significant economic losses for residents.
Speaking after inspecting the installation works, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said the long-standing power challenges in Garissa would soon become a thing of the past.
Besides improving electricity supply within Garissa town, Wachira said the project would also benefit Dadaab and Balambala sub-counties, where many residents have relied on costly off-grid diesel-powered mini-grids.
"We are going to commission a 23 MVA transformer, which is three times what we originally had. Because we are retaining one of the existing 7.5 MVA transformers, the substation will have a total capacity of 30.5 MVA. This means Garissa and its environs will be able to absorb power of up to 30 megawatts while ensuring that Dadaab Sub-county is finally connected to the national grid," Wachira said.
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He noted that the new transformer was delivered following a commitment made by President William Ruto in response to persistent complaints over unreliable electricity in the region.
"This transformer was promised by the President because of the suffering the people of Garissa have endured. We have witnessed tremendous growth in electricity demand, and the previous 7.5 MVA transformer had become severely overloaded, causing frequent outages and immense hardship for residents," he added.
Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed welcomed the upgrade, thanking President Ruto for honouring his pledge to improve the county's electricity infrastructure.
He said the enhanced power supply would attract investors who had previously been discouraged by unreliable electricity, ultimately boosting economic growth and creating employment opportunities.
"As we all know, Garissa has faced serious power supply challenges despite being connected to the national grid. The previous transformer could no longer meet demand because Garissa is one of the fastest-growing towns in the country," said Dekow.
He expressed confidence that the upgraded substation would not only improve the reliability of electricity for residents and businesses but also unlock the county's economic potential by supporting industrial growth and encouraging new investments.
